The public and media are invited to an open house at the Clarion River Archaeological Study Program and Field School on Friday, June 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The excavation is being led by Dr. Susan Prezzano, professor of anthropology at Clarion University, in cooperation with the Marienville Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest.
Visitors will have an opportunity to watch the excavations in progress, learn about the history of this site, and see some of the artifacts already discovered at this site. Participants in the field school include advanced undergraduates, undergraduates, and area high school students taking part in a second-year program which combines field experience in archaeology with a week of instruction in various sciences taught at Clarion University.
Directions to the site: From Marienville, travel southeast on Loleta Road for about six miles. Turn south onto Millstone Road (gravel). At the end of Millstone Road, continue straight onto River Road (SR 2006). The site is located at a sharp bend on River Road. Limited parking is available in a gravel lot. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, and long pants, as poison ivy is in the area.
Clarion University has conducted several years of excavations at various sites in cooperation with the Allegheny National Forest. This is their second season of archaeological excavations at this site. Students receive first hand instruction in proper excavation techniques and documentation of finds.
The 2009 project is primarily supported by a Title 3 Secure Rural Schools grant via Elk County and Elk County Conservation District, a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant, and additional assistance from the Allegheny National Forest. Further information is available from Amanda Glaz, Marienville Ranger District Archaeologist, at 814-927-5756.
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